New opportunity for Singapore teenagers to give back to society

Singapore Girl Guides performing an item at the National Camp 2014. Mr Wong said the National Youth Internship Programme would start with a pilot intake of 60 members this year from uniformed groups. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

By Amelia Teng

Teenagers will soon have a new avenue to help them serve the community, even after they leave secondary school.

The new National Youth Internship Programme will give teens the opportunity to take up internships with groups like voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and those in the youth sector.

The stints - which could involve helping the needy, people with special needs or younger students - will last two to six months, with interns receiving a monthly stipend of up to $480.

The scheme is targeted at those 17 and over who are waiting to join junior colleges, polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education and universities.